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TRIPACIAN

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Posts posted by TRIPACIAN

  1. 40 minutes ago, ryndam said:

    We dined in Beefbar several times over the past few months. We preferred the lunch menu over the dinner menu. It took a couple of visits for us to try and understand the concept. It is a BeefBAR; i.e. a BAR with alcohol absorbing carbs as a side thought.  (Capitalization and emphasis mine.) There is an extensive cocktail menu exclusive to this venue. IMHO it is not a steakhouse in the traditional sense of the word. If one approaches this dining venue with this notion, it starts to make more sense. Whether one likes or dislikes the concept and the offerings, is a whole different subject for conversation.

     

    Just our impressions.

     

    Rob

    We really enjoy Beefbar, it did require some experimenting with the menu items to fine what we liked best, but it is a positive for Crystal.  We also preferred the lunch menu.  

    • Like 2
  2. 4 hours ago, krb1000 said:

    Our first Crystal cruise was New York to Dover…June 2015 on Symphony. We board her in September for number 25🩵🩵🩵

    That was our first Crystal cruise also, we are up to 35 now, see you on board!

    • Like 2
  3. 4 hours ago, bitob said:

    I believe you will see fuller ships soon. A&k reimbursed fully everyone who lost money when crystal failed. Very smart move. They lost a lot of loyal customers. 
     

    I was given 30k credit  to use on 2 trips either crystal or a&k. I booked one of each. An offer I couldn’t refuse 

    Welcome back to Crystal!

  4. We just left the Serenity after 40 days and loved the Beefbar for both lunch and dinner.  We did not try all of the items on the menu but we did have many of them.  We did not like them all, no surprise, but overall we considered this new dining option a winner.

    • Like 6
  5. On 2/7/2025 at 9:30 AM, calliopecruiser said:

    I grew to hate having to go to dinner in a formal restaurant every night on Crystal (after 3 or 4 weeks) - I longed for a casual dinner option, either Churrascaria or Marketplace - or something other than having to spend hours over dinner and have a fleet of waitstaff changing cutlery every course and wiping away a scattered crumb or two.  The food was always very good, but the performance and the staging really got to annoy me.  It's the one fault I've found on every luxury line I've ever sailed with: No casual dinner option. 

    (Well, other than room service, which comes with lesser food quality and/or temperature).

    You will love the new Beefbar restaurant.  It fits your description perfectly.  You can dine very casually with several light options or you can have a more inclusive meal with the all the options. 

  6. On 2/6/2025 at 1:08 PM, ryndam said:

    Keith, I agree with your observation. We are contemplating several varied land-only options in 2026 and 2027. Knowing Crystal's itineraries this far in advance helps us to determine dates for other, non-cruise journeys. We will likely book cruises in 2026 and 2027, just not this far in advance, and especially not with significant 25% advance cruise deposits.

     

    Rob

    This is a great response.  We have booked a land tour of India to coincide with a Symphony sailing.  Both booked two years in advance.  We often combine land tours/adventures with cruises and normally way in advance.

    • Like 1
  7. On 2/4/2025 at 6:02 AM, Keith1010 said:

    This will likely be different for your cruise.I believe you said you embark in Rio.

     

    For the March 5 cruise Hubert Buelacher will be the HD.  I believe CD Raphael might be back for this cruise but I am not 100% certain.

     

    Keith

     

    Keith, you are correct.

    • Like 1
  8. The question asked (What Makes Crustal special) is excellent.  I am currently sitting in the Cove and the ship is preparing for embarkation.  I happened to look up as I was reading this thread and saw the sign welcoming arriving passengers an it says it all.  “WELCOME HOME” and they truly mean it.  This is one of many reasons Crystal is special!

    IMG_9088.jpeg

    • Like 1
  9. 1 hour ago, Keith1010 said:

    Larry, I asked when we were on board Symphony last September and was told that the ship is up to standards to sail the USA.

     

    Not saying this is not a dry dock. Just saying what I was told about meeting the requirements to sail the USA.

     

    Keith

    We were told the same thing last cruise, the ships are properly equipped!

  10. We are onboard and just enjoyed lunch at Beefbar.  Had pizza, quesadillas and chicken.  Everything was great.  We had dinner there two nights ago and Maria wasn’t happy with the steak (we shared the ribeye) but I was very pleased. Overall we are very pleased with the new choice in dining.

    • Like 1
  11. We are flying to Lima to join the Serenity for a 40 day cruise to Rio.  We originally were doing the full WC but the change in the itinerary wasn’t for us.  We have been to South America several times and just love the ports. Can’t wait!

    • Like 1


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